Report by Rachel Autrey
Today was our first medical clinic in Z’Orange. It was amazing to watch God work among His people and bring 210 beautiful Haitians to us for medical help. We did several different things throughout the clinic – we handed out lots of medication and were able to meet many people despite the language barrier. Through the passing out of lollipops and painting of many fingers and toes, we met and prayed with many women, men, and children. Though the day was tiring, the people who came were so very patient, and some sat from 8:00 until 4:30 when we finished. Today was a wonderful experience for our team and it was incredible to watch what God did today. We can’t wait to see what He will continue to do throughout the rest of the week.
I was constantly reminded today of the story of Jairus and the sick woman in Luke 8:40-56. In this story, Jesus is walking through the village and is met in a crowd by a man named Jairus, who is a leader in the synagogue. He hurries to Jesus and tells him that his daughter is dying and he needs Jesus’ help immediately. While Jesus and Jairus are on their way through a mass crowd, a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years touches the edge of his clothes. In the middle of the crowd, Jesus stops and says, “Who touched me? Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out of me.” The disciples and people surrounding Jesus are surprised that He would ask such a crazy question when there are so many people pressing in on Him from all sides. He heals the woman and explains to the woman and the crowd that her faith made her well. In the midst of the craziness in the crowd, someone comes and tells everyone that Jairus’ daughter has died. Jesus tells Jairus not to worry and to take Him to his daughter. He arrives and enters the house with a few disciples and tells the family that she is not dead, but only asleep. He looks at the girl and says, “My child, get up!” She gets up out of bed, and at once gets something to eat.
This story shows that Jesus was always stopping for the one that was right in front of Him. Even when the world seemed to be going crazy, Jesus always stopped and took care of the person’s needs right then. In the middle of Jairus’ daughter dying, He stopped in the crowd and healed the sick lady immediately because He cared so deeply for her. She amazes me because she had enough faith to believe that Jesus could save her even after being sick for so long. Today not only were we able to provide for medical needs, but also for spiritual needs for the people of Haiti.
Thank you God for a wonderful day. I pray that we will seek you in everything we do, whether it is passing out pills, painting nails, or handing out lollipops. Help us to do everything in Your name and for Your glory!